Local Beer of the Week: Belgian blonde aged in massive oak cask

Best Local Beer of the Week: Summer Wind Belgian ale

What it is

Summer Wind blonde ale was aged 3 1/2 months in foudre, a massive oak container used to age wine or beer. (Contributed photo)

Take note when lifelong brewmaster Fran Andrewlevich, co-founder of Twisted Trunk Brewing and Tequesta Brewing Co., says he has finally created a beer he has spent his entire career trying to brew. Twisted Trunk aged a Belgian blonde ale in a foudre, a large wooden cask that holds up to 600 gallons of beer. After brewing the beer with Belgian malted barley and German yeasts, the beer spent 3 ½ months in the foudre with Belgian sour yeasts to give Summer Wind a singular, distinctive flavor. Expect notes of apples, pears and spice from the Minnesota white oak. Several kegs of this beer will be treated with other flavors (such as an upcoming peach-lemongrass concoction) to add even more depth. And expect a unique batch of beer every time it comes out of Twisted’s foudre. “The barrel has a mind of its own, and that’s the beauty of it,” Andrewlevich said.

Where to get it

The foudre will be tapped for the first time Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Twisted Trunk’s brewery in Palm Beach Gardens. Cost: $5 pints at the brewery taproom, $4 during happy hour, Tuesday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.